Arts, commerce leave science behind, FYJC cut-offs rise 2%

High-scorers opting for arts and commerce raised cut-offs in these streams by up to 2% this year in the first general merit for online admissions to First Year Junior College (FYJC). The science stream also saw an unexpected dip, even in the most coveted colleges. The list was released on Saturday evening.

At Ruparel College, Matunga, the arts cut-off jumped from 81.45% last year to 82.90% this year. The commerce cut-off also increased from 88.91% last year to 89.27%. Surprisingly, the science cut-off dipped from 94% to 93.63% this year.

Similarly, at Sathaye College, Vile Parle, the arts cut-off jumped from 73.2% last year to 74.72% and commerce rose by 0.3% from last year. But the science cut-off, which is the highest in the city, dipped from 95.09% last year to 94.72% this year.

“More students are opting for arts,” said Jyoti Thakur, vice principal of the junior college at Jai Hind, Churchgate, where the list opened at 93.63%. She said that based on the minority lists, CBSE students have done far better than last year. “We have seen a lot of students securing above 90%,” she said.

Many the students scoring above 90% also opted for arts this year. “People have been asking why I chose arts despite such high marks, but I want to study psychology like my older sister,” said Kaizeen Mistry, 15, who got 93%, and was fourth on the merit list of Jai Hind College, whose list closed at 85.45%.

High scorers choosing arts made it difficult for students scoring above 80% to get into the college of their choice. “Arts was my second choice after commerce but I'm surprised the cut-offs are so high this time,” said Ashna Sanghavi, 15, who scored 83.80% and missed the Jai Hind list. She has however, made it to the KC arts list.

“Science is losing its charm. Commerce and arts are becoming popular because of the options available to students after Class 12,’’ said Manju Nichani, principal of KC College, where the Arts cut-offs rose from 78.18% last year to 78.80% this year. The science cut-offs dropped from 88.91% to 88.33% this year.